[COVID Resurgence] "Home Treatment Support Decreased, but"… 4th Dose Vaccination and Hospital Bed Securing Urgent

Temporary Screening Clinics Suspended and Dedicated Beds Reduced as Omicron Subsides
Experts Emphasize "Establishing Medical Response Systems Including Special and Intensive Care Beds"

The number of new daily COVID-19 cases has surpassed 20,000, and warnings have emerged that this could increase to 100,000 per day as early as the end of this month. Amid these concerns, there are criticisms that the quarantine authorities' measures for the resurgence are insufficient. Experts emphasize the need to prepare for a rapid increase in cases by reorganizing the medical response system and to expedite the expansion of the fourth vaccine dose for high-risk groups. 'COVID-19 Strikes Again'

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 11th, under the revised 'COVID-19 Isolation Financial Support System,' support policies for home treatment patients have been reduced starting today. Until now, those confirmed with COVID-19 and isolated received living support funds of 100,000 to 150,000 KRW regardless of income. However, now only households with median income or below (based on a 4-person household with a monthly health insurance premium of 180,000 KRW) are eligible for living support funds. Patients must also bear the cost of approximately 13,000 KRW for home treatment and about 6,000 KRW for prescribed medications.

Earlier, the government introduced these measures on the 24th of last month after the Omicron wave subsided and the number of confirmed cases significantly decreased.

COVID-19 hospital beds in general and tertiary hospitals have also significantly decreased. After peaking during the Omicron wave at nearly 33,000 beds in March, only about 5,800 beds remain, reduced to one-sixth of the previous capacity. Since June, the operation of temporary screening clinics and residential treatment centers has also been suspended.

In pharmacies, demand for self-test kits and over-the-counter medicines, which had been declining for some time, is rising again. A pharmacist said, "With the suspension of treatment cost support, patients who test positive may try to endure symptoms with existing over-the-counter medicines," adding, "Measures are needed to minimize confusion on the ground."

Experts point out that although the intensive care unit (ICU) bed occupancy rate remains in the single digits and relatively stable, clear signs of a COVID-19 resurgence require establishing a medical response system prepared for emergencies, including securing critical care beds for severe cases. Expanding the fourth vaccine dose for high-risk groups such as those aged 60 and above and securing additional treatments are also urgent tasks.

Professor Jeong Jae-hoon of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Gachon University College of Medicine stated, "Although the increase in severe cases may not be as steep as during the Omicron wave, it is necessary to reorganize critical care capacity." He advised, "We should increase severe case beds to 1,000?1,500 and prepare special beds for pregnant women and dialysis patients." Professor Jeong also emphasized, "It is important to secure improved vaccines as soon as possible for additional vaccinations this fall and to sufficiently stock oral antiviral treatments to protect high-risk groups."

Professor Baek Soon-young, emeritus professor at Catholic University, said, "We must avoid a repeat of ICU bed occupancy rates reaching 80?90% as during the Omicron wave." He added, "It is crucial to secure enough beds and operate them flexibly to prevent confirmed cases from worsening into severe cases and severe cases from resulting in deaths."